Orting's Halahuni emerging as go-to option at Oregon State

The situation was ideal for a budding superstar to take off and shine in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

In the Pacific-10 Conference, everybody gets up for the Southern California Trojans. They’re the seven-time defending conference champions. They’re the benchmark performers. They’re Hollywood’s sports darlings.

So when Oregon State came to play in October, the night should have belonged to reigning Pac-10 player of the year Jacquizz Rodgers, or his older brother, James, right?

Wrong.

That night, a 42-36 USC victory, belonged to a small-school standout from Orting – tight end Joe Halahuni.

Halahuni tied the Beavers’ tight end mark for single-game receptions – nine – and led all players with 127 receiving yards, prompting USC coach Pete Carroll to recognize him as OSU’s biggest gun.

Last Saturday at California – not a shabby venue for an encore – Halahuni was at it again. He had six receptions for a career-high 128 yards in a 31-14 Oregon State victory.

He has earned national weekly honors for a performance by a tight end – twice.

“A lot of times, it’s (about) growing into production,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley said this week on a teleconference with visiting media. “As guys make plays, they make more plays. They kind of feed on it.”

No longer is Halahuni, a 2005 News Tribune All-Area selection and former Nisqually League MVP, an afterthought from the Beavers’ 2006 recruiting class, or stuck in a glut of tight-end prospects, all striving to gain playing time. He has become the offense’s rising go-to player.

“I tell you what, he’s deceptively fast and has great hands,” said Robin Ross, who coaches tight ends for the Beavers. “He’s become a running threat after he touches the ball. The gratifying thing, he’s getting better.”

NCAA Clearinghouse eligibility matters delayed Halahuni’s enrollment until 2007. That spring, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, immediately requiring surgery.

In the fall, Halahuni returned but was not himself. He was up to 265 pounds and a step slow. A knee brace restricted his movement. He played sparingly during the season as an H-back.

By August, the tide began turning in Halahuni’s career. Senior tight end John Reese decided to redshirt because of injury. Gabe Miller switched to defensive end. As the competition dwindled, Halahuni – who really jibed with Ross’ approach – began to separate himself from the competition.

“Seems like every year I’ve been here, I’ve had a new (position) coach,” Halahuni said. “Fortunately I knew about (Ross), knew he was at Western (Washington). He appreciates the hard work, watching the film and things. Overall, I knew it would make me a different player, doing the little things right.”

Fully healthy again, and free to run, Halahuni dropped 15 pounds.

“Without the brace, I feel wonderful,” Halahuni said, “and comfortable.”

The week of the USC game, Ross let Halahuni know that if the Trojans – like many Pac-10 teams – focused too much on either of the Rodgers brothers, his number would be called often on pass routes and his blocking would be just as vital to the Beavers’ chances of winning.

“This is a very tight-end-oriented offense,” Ross said. “We’re always playing at least one of them, sometimes two or three. And we used them a ton (against USC).

“I coached tight ends at Oregon, too. They’re like the linebackers of the offense in terms of how they’re involved in the run game and the pass game. It’s the second-most challenging position on offense behind quarterback.”

Lining Halahuni up at H-back not only gives him the chance to be a lead blocker out of the backfield, but it also lets him run screen passes out of the formation.

“Oregon State is tough to stop with everything. We did a fair job with Jacquizz … but they were able to find (Halahuni),” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “They did a nice job of spreading things around. They utilize him very well. Obviously it hurt us in some situations.”

Halahuni has made 26 catches this season, the most by an OSU tight end since Joe Newton’s 36 in 2006. And he should add to that total Saturday when the Washington Huskies, who have had their issues stopping opposing tight ends, come to town.

Of course, not everything is perfect for Halahuni. He hasn’t scored this season, and he dropped a sure TD last week.

“My mom gave me a hard time about that,” he said. “I’m going to get her one, for sure.”

Defensive back leaves team

Matt Mosley was absent from the Huskies’ practice Wednesday, and he will be absent from the rest of them. The junior cornerback from Chandler, Ariz., has left the team with the intention to transfer. He told the coaching staff on Tuesday.

“He’s graduating in the winter and wants an opportunity to go someplace else and play,” coach Steve Sarkisian said. “That’s OK.”

In 2008, Mosley played in 10 of the 12 games, and even started three games at corner. He had 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. In 2007, as a redshirt freshman, Mosley played in 11 games, including three starts, and made 12 tackles.

This season, he fell out of favor with the coaching staff and below freshman Desmond Trufant on the depth chart.

Sarkisian mentioned earlier this season some issues with Mosley’s attitude off the field, but would not elaborate.

Because Mosley will graduate, by NCAA rules, he’ll be able to transfer to any school in the FBS and not have to sit out a year.

Sarkisian said he had no idea where Mosley plans to transfer, saying he would find out when he received the scholarship release form.

Extra points

It was another spirited practice with a mild altercation between backup quarterback Ronnie Fouch and linebacker Mason Foster following a play in 11-on-11 drills. “It got a little chippy in the team period, which is good,” Sarkisian said. “It means they are still fighting and still into it.” … Defensive lineman Cameron Elisara sat out practice still fighting the effects of a stinger. Linebacker E.J. Savannah (thumb) was also not dressed out for practice. Safety Jason Wells (plantar fasciitis) did do some individual work, but did not participate in team drills.

News Tribune staff writer Ryan Divish contributed to this report.

Todd Milles: 253-597-8442

todd.milles@thenewstribune.com

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